The firmware itself which is free for camera owners does give you some really good free goodies like HDR video shooting in Hybrid-Log gamma which should make highlight and shadow retention much better in this new profile. As an extra as well you will now be able to use ISO 3200 for S-Log2 and S-Log 3 recording up from ISO 2000. Making it more capable in low light.

Our thoughts:

It is kind of a let down that Sony is essentially asking for $500 on top of the FS5 $5,470 camera price to be able to shoot 120fps full HD. That is the cost for example of a GX85 Panasonic camera for instance with 4k and in camera sensor stabilization. The FS5 does not need any hardware changes to allow the recording but just an unlock code for it to be activated. Reminds us of the Panasonic GH4 and GH5 V-Log L profile that is sold for $100 USD in order to be able to use it as a grade-able profile. We are not fans of software charges on camera lines but it seems to be a new trend developing.

If the FS5, for example, unlocked continuous 240fps or 480fps and needed a partial memory upgrade to do so; a charge of $500 or even $1000 would be justified in our view. The charge for mere software code serial unlock leaves a pretty bad taste in your mouth considering you may add a capable lens or set of adapters for that money. That does not really detract from the excellent camera the Sony FS5 is on most fronts. It would have been nice

That does not really detract from the excellent camera the Sony FS5 is on most fronts. It would have been nice, however, to get an upgrade for 120fps continuous that is now becoming commonplace in several cameras. If you want to save the cash and get something else instead, we suggest you check out cameras like the Sony RX100 Mark V which does 120fps continuous and up to 960fps at reduced resolutions for up to 4 seconds.